Abuse, Safety, and Consent

Disabled people experience abuse at significantly higher rates than non-disabled people. This isn’t because of disability itself—it’s because systems and people exploit disabled people’s vulnerabilities. You deserve safety, autonomy, and support.

This page centers disabled survivors’ expertise and addresses abuse in all its forms.

If You’re in Immediate Danger

Call emergency services (911 in US, 999 in UK, 000 in Australia, or your local emergency number)

National Hotlines:

US: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)
US: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673
UK: National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Canada: Find provincial resources at endingviolencecanada.org
Australia: 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Disability-Specific Resources:

US: Disability Rights organizations in your state can help
Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services: 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Understanding Abuse Against Disabled People

Why Rates Are Higher

Disabled people experience 2-10x higher rates of abuse (depending on the type and population studied). Contributing factors:

Dependence on others: Relying on caregivers creates vulnerability
Isolation: Less access to community and support networks
Communication barriers: May be harder to report or be believed
Institutional settings: Abuse is endemic in institutions
Power imbalances: Caregivers, providers, family have power over disabled people
Not being believed: Disabled people’s reports are often dismissed
Limited options: Fear of losing care, housing, or support if you report

Types of Abuse

Physical abuse: Hitting, restraining, rough handling, over- or under-medicating, withholding food or medical care.

Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual contact. Disabled people can and do experience sexual violence.

Emotional/psychological abuse: Manipulation, threats, humiliation, isolation, controlling behavior, gaslighting about disability.

Financial abuse: Stealing money, controlling finances, exploiting benefits, forcing financial dependence.

Neglect: Failing to provide necessary care, food, medication, hygiene, medical attention.

Disability-specific abuse:

Withholding assistive devices or medications
Refusing to provide assistance with daily needs
Threatening institutionalization
Damaging mobility equipment
Isolating from disability community
Mocking disability or using it to control

Who Commits Abuse

Intimate Partners

Disabled people experience intimate partner violence at higher rates. Abusive partners may:

Use disability to control you
Withhold medications or equipment
Threaten to out your disability
Manipulate you about being “unlovable”
Control your care and access

Family Members

Family abuse of disabled people includes:

Parents or siblings who are abusive
Family caregivers who neglect or exploit
Financial exploitation by family

Paid Caregivers and Staff

People paid to provide care sometimes abuse:

Personal care attendants
Group home staff
Nursing home workers
Home health aides
Teachers, therapists, providers

Institutions

Abuse is common in institutional settings:

Nursing homes
Group homes
Psychiatric facilities
Residential schools
Day programs

Others

Service providers
Strangers
Acquaintances
Scammers targeting disabled people

Consent is:

Freely given: Not coerced or pressured
Informed: Understanding what you’re agreeing to
Specific: Agreeing to one thing doesn’t mean agreeing to everything
Reversible: You can change your mind
Enthusiastic: Real agreement, not just absence of “no”

All disabled people have the right to make decisions about:

Sexual activity
Medical treatment
Personal care
Living situation
Relationships

Supported Decision-Making

Some people may need support to make decisions. This should:

Enhance autonomy, not replace it
Respect the person’s values and preferences
Not substitute someone else’s preferences
Be the least restrictive option

Guardianship ≠ No Rights

Even people under guardianship retain rights. Guardians cannot consent to sexual activity on someone’s behalf—the person must consent themselves.

Signs of Abuse

In Yourself

Fear of caregiver, partner, or family member
Unexplained injuries or recurring injuries
Anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Changes in behavior
Being isolated from friends, family, community
Lacking money or control over finances
Not having your basic needs met
Being threatened or controlled

In Someone Else

Visible injuries or neglect
Fear or anxiety around certain people
Being controlled or not allowed to speak
Lacking basic necessities
Isolation from community
Changes in behavior or mood
Missing medications or assistive devices
Someone else controlling their money

Getting Help

Safety Planning

If you’re being abused or fear abuse:

Document when safe: Keep records of incidents, injuries, threats. Store information where abuser can’t find it.

Identify safe people: Who can you tell? Who can help in an emergency?

Plan for emergencies: Where can you go? How will you get there? What will you need (medications, equipment, documents)?

Know your options: Research shelters, hotlines, disability services before you need them.

Protect important items: Have copies of documents, extra medications, phone charger accessible.

Leaving

Leaving an abusive situation is often complicated for disabled people:

You may depend on the abuser for care
Shelters may not be accessible
You may fear losing housing or services
You may not have financial independence

Resources that can help:

Domestic violence services (ask about accessibility and disability experience)
Disability rights organizations
Centers for Independent Living
Protection and Advocacy organizations
Adult Protective Services (for some situations)

Reporting

Who to report to depends on your situation:

Police: For crimes (you can report without pressing charges)
Adult Protective Services: For adults being abused, neglected, or exploited (mandatory reporters must report; anyone can report)
Long-term Care Ombudsman: For nursing home and assisted living issues
State licensing boards: For abuse by licensed facilities or providers
Disability Rights organizations: For help navigating reporting and advocacy

Challenges with reporting:

Not being believed
Fear of retaliation
Fear of losing care or placement
Police not trained in disability
Systems that don’t support disabled victims

You’re not required to report. Your safety and autonomy come first.

Abuse in Care Settings

Institutional Abuse

Abuse in nursing homes, group homes, psychiatric facilities, and other institutions is widespread. Types include:

Physical abuse by staff or other residents
Sexual abuse
Overmedication and chemical restraint
Physical restraints
Neglect (not providing care, food, hygiene)
Isolation and confinement
Financial exploitation
Denial of rights

Reporting Institutional Abuse

Long-term Care Ombudsman: Advocates for nursing home and assisted living residents
State licensing agencies: Can investigate and sanction facilities
Adult Protective Services: Investigates abuse allegations
Protection and Advocacy organizations: Legal advocacy for disabled people

Your Rights in Care Settings

Even in care settings, you have rights:

To be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
To privacy and dignity
To make decisions about your care
To communicate with people outside the facility
To access your records
To file complaints without retaliation

Caregiver Abuse

When Care Becomes Abuse

Not all difficult caregiving situations are abuse, but abuse happens when:

A caregiver intentionally harms you
A caregiver neglects your needs when they could meet them
A caregiver exploits you financially
A caregiver controls you beyond what care requires

Getting Different Care

If your caregiver is abusive, you may be able to:

Request a different caregiver through your agency
Switch agencies
Use self-directed care to hire your own staff
Access emergency care while transitioning

When Family Is the Abuser

This is complicated because:

You may love the person who hurts you
Family may be your only support
Reporting may have major consequences
You may feel guilt or loyalty

You still deserve safety. Support is available even when family is involved.

Intersectionality

Disabled Women

Face:

Highest rates of intimate partner violence
Often not believed
Domestic violence services may be inaccessible
Reproductive coercion

Disabled People of Color

Experience:

Racism compounds ableism in reporting and services
Less likely to be believed
Distrust of police and systems may complicate reporting
Cultural factors may affect help-seeking

LGBTQ+ Disabled People

May face:

Abuse related to both identities
Fewer affirming services
Outing as a form of control
Less family support

Disabled Children

Experience very high rates of abuse:

From parents, caregivers, staff
In schools and facilities
Often not believed or protected

People with Intellectual Disabilities

Face:

Very high rates of sexual abuse
Often not believed
May lack information about abuse
May be controlled by abusers who appear caring

People with Mental Health Disabilities

Experience:

Abuse dismissed as “symptoms”
Forced treatment as abuse
Gaslighting about reality
Barriers to being believed

Resources

United States

Hotlines:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)
RAINN (Sexual Assault): 1-800-656-4673
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453

Disability-Specific:

Disability Rights organizations: ndrn.org
Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services: adwas.org
End Abuse of People with Disabilities: endabusepwd.org

Canada

Canadian Women’s Foundation: Resources at endingviolencecanada.org
Provincial crisis lines and services

United Kingdom

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Respond: For people with learning disabilities who’ve experienced abuse
Stay Safe East: For disabled survivors of domestic abuse

Australia

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
State and territory services

If You’ve Been Abused

You are not to blame. Abuse is never your fault.

Getting support:

Counseling and therapy (look for trauma-informed, disability-aware)
Peer support from other survivors
Disability rights organizations
Medical care if needed

Healing is possible. Many survivors go on to live safe, fulfilling lives.

Contribute to This Page

Are you a disabled survivor? Do you work in abuse prevention or response? Have resources to share?

Share your knowledge: Contribution Form

We especially welcome:

Survivor-informed perspectives
Resources for specific populations
Country-specific information
Strategies that helped

This page centers disabled survivors’ expertise. You deserve safety, autonomy, and support.